Residents in Grange Ward are being sent a questionnaire by the Enfield & North Policing Team which is designed to measure public support for a proposal to install closed circuit TV cameras in police vans. As the subject of this questionnaire is clearly relevant throughout the Metropolitan Police area, we are reproducing it here and suggest that responses should be sent to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team for whichever ward you live in (see the list of teams on this page).
Dear all,
The Metropolitan Police Service are considering placing CCTV cameras inside police vans that transport arrested persons. A short explanation of the proposal is outlined below along with 4 questions. We would very grateful if you would take the time to answer the questions as your views will be very important when consideration is given as to whether this should be implemented throughout London.
Prisoner transport vehicles are an extension of the custody environment. It is therefore proportionate to monitor the condition and welfare of persons held during transportation.
A basic outline of where the cameras will be fitted as follows -
5 Cameras recording the following areas:
- Prisoner seating area (video and audio)
- Escort seating area (video and audio)
- Rear of van
- Front of van
Recording starts on engine ignition and continues for 30 minutes after the ignition is switched off
Questions
- Are you supportive or opposed to the use of CCTV in police vans by police?
- Do you have any concerns in respect of the use of Vans with CCTV by police?
- Do you have any views in respect of when CCTV in Vans should or should not be used by police?
- Do you think that there could be any impacts on community tensions or otherwise that could be linked to the police use of the CCTV in Vans on this Borough?
Thank you and kind regards
PC Nick Harrison 226YE
Enfield & North Policing Team
Although not stated explicitly, the purpose of the cameras is to monitor the behaviour of both arrestees and police officers while in the van. Their installation was the subject of a campaign by the Newham Monitoring Project and an online petition, particularly in relation to the death of Sean Rigg in 2008. The cameras could both help prevent police wrongdoing and help identify false claims against officers. (See this newspaper report.)
Thanks to Garry Humphreys for forwarding this information.
